Childhood Background
Although I grew up as an only daughter with three brothers in the suburbs of Boston, I was never a tomboy. My mother sent me out to play in starched dresses with ribbons in my hair, and I returned home intact. I always had the sense that I wanted to be the best I could be and live up to my full potential.
I can still picture standing in my bedroom by my dresser at the age of 10 thinking I wanted to help others live up to their potential. This was in the day when women were teachers, secretaries, nurses, and department store clerks. I had no clue as to what my options could be.
College Years and Beyond
When I went off to college, I had no idea what to major in but ended up with a degree in music. While living in the dorms at Michigan State University, I became a Christian and met The Navigators, a Christian organization committed to discipleship and making disciples. I began growing as I attended Bible studies, spent daily devotional time in the Bible, meditating and memorizing Scripture, applying it to my life, and helping other women do the same.
A couple of years after graduation from college, I went overseas to Beirut, Lebanon, as a secretary with The Navigators. It was stimulating and challenging, living in another culture. I loved being there, ministering both as a secretary and helping women in Bible study. But the Lord had a work to do in me to deepen my character and trust in Him. He used both external and internal means.
After being in Lebanon nine months, the war in Beirut broke out. Our faith was tested, and we personally committed ourselves to believe the promises of God, and He was faithful at every point. I was also challenged by a godly Christian leader, where I had to wrestle with self esteem issues from being dogmatic and immature, stemming from self-centeredness, and believing God had a good plan for my life. In one of my darkest hours as a Christian, I personally took to heart Hebrews 10:35-39, especially verses 38 and 39 which say, “‘But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.’ But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.” Yes, I was a Christian, but I had a choice: Shrink back from dealing with character issues and be destroyed, or believe God, make changes, and grow as a Christian. I chose to believe.
After returning to the U.S., I met a like-hearted Christian man who was serving in the Air Force, and we got married. We have four children (some with special needs) and have continued together to help others grow in their faith in Jesus Christ. In the process of raising our children, we have spent countless hours involved in counseling for various reasons. As our oldest went off to college, I suddenly had more free time and decided to pursue a career in counseling. I have since learned the difference between counseling and coaching and prefer the coaching model in helping motivated women to reach their potential in Christ.
Wanting to blend my passion to help others live up to their full potential and to help them grow in their personal relationship with Christ, I am opening a life coaching practice to help women do just that.
Educational and Professional History
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California and a Certified Coach. Besides getting a Bachelor of Music degree from Michigan State University, I earned a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Southern California Seminary. Including years of interning and being licensed, I have been practicing for 15+ years.
Although licensed as a therapist, coaching is not therapy. For a woman, coaching is a process of looking at where you are and where you would like to be and then addressing self discovery, determining the action, and removing the barriers to ensure success in moving forward. I will listen to you, ask questions to make you think about where you would like to be (or do), and provide accountability. If you feel this is something you might be interested in, please contact me for a free 45-minute consultation. I look forward to hearing from you!